By Matthew Nguyen, Staff Writer
Marvel Studio’s Captain Marvel kicks off a rather impressive slate of superhero movies set to release in 2019, and it did not disappoint. Great actions sequences coupled with superb acting from their leading stars allow Marvel to, yet again, produce a pleasant viewing experience for movie goers everywhere.
I would first like to highlight the acting of Marvel’s first-ever solo, female lead Brie Larson who came into the movie under the premature criticisms of many fans who believed that she lacked emotion during the trailers for the film. However, Larson did a good job throughout the majority of the movie, only faltering at times do to forced and mistimed jokes, that could be chalked up to bad writing rather than bad acting. She displayed the charisma and wit that is commonly associated with Captain Marvel and tried to stay true to the comic book superhero.
The whole entire cast of the movie actually did a rather impressive job, particularly Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn, who played Nick Fury and Talos respectively. Jackson, whose face had been edited with CGI to appear roughly 20 years younger, was charming from the start. Differing from the jaded and calloused Nick Fury Marvel fans are used to, this younger Fury was practically dripping charisma. Every situation was followed by an off-hand comment, and every statement was followed by a witty retort. Particularly, the entire bit about the autopsy on the Skrull had me laughing for a while. Jackson’s interpretation of a more youthful and optimistic Nick Fury was definitely the most enjoyable part of this film.
The action was also great. Like previous Marvel films, Captain Marvel’s action sequences were flooded with quick cuts and hectic movements, but it still executed each scene with grace and it all flowed smoothly. The train scene where Carol Danvers (A.K.A. Captain Marvel) took on a Skrull disguised as a grandmother was one of my favorite shots.
Though Captain Marvel is most definitely a solid addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, no film is without flaw. The plot became convoluted at times, especially whenever they tried to explain the whole Tesseract/hidden coordinates/lightspeed-engine situation. I found myself lost during certain climactic moments, trying to puzzle together the story when I know I should be fully invested into what was happening in front of me.
The character development was also rather weak, throughout. Danvers begins the story showcasing her tremendous powers while destroying aliens and ends the story showcasing her tremendous powers while destroying aliens. Not only that, but the primary character trait that she “unlocked” in order to free herself from the supreme intelligence was a trait she possessed from the start, not developed throughout the entire story. The side characters also received little to no screen time and, while still entertaining, were the same at the end as they were from the beginning.
Finally, I would like to address what is most likely the biggest story that is surrounding this movie: the controversy revolving Brie Larson and her political agenda. I personally, have no comment on that particular situation. I do, however, have something to say about how people are allowing their own political beliefs cloud their opinions. I have purposefully placed this part of my review at the very end as I felt like political views shouldn’t obscure your judgement of a film that hundreds of people have put their time and effort into making. Tearing down a movie due to having a different set of beliefs than a single person part of the film production is, simply put, a ridiculous notion. The opposite is also true: liking a movie you haven’t even seen just because your own political ideals line up with the actors and actresses is also not okay.
Captain Marvel was a good film, a solid addition to an already incredible lineup of blockbuster superhero movies from Marvel. I would highly recommend going into the theater with an open mind and not let any previous notions or opinions cloud your viewing experience. Enjoy the movie for what it is: an intergalactic war movie featuring a cosmic-level superhero, shapeshifting aliens, tentacle cat monsters, and a 20 year-old Samuel L. Jackson with not one but two eyeballs.
